Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Do Extended Cultivation Periods and Reduced Nitrogen Supply Increase Root Yield and Anthocyanin Content of Purple Carrots?
Details zur Publikation
Autorenliste: Schmidt L., Sorg S., Tittmann S., Max J., Zinkernagel J.
Jahr der Veröffentlichung: 2018
Quelle: Horticulturae
Bandnummer: 4
Heftnummer: 2
Verlag: MDPI
ISSN: 2311-7524
eISSN: 2311-7524
DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae4020007
URL: http://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/4/2/7
Sprachen: Englisch
Peer reviewed
Purple carrots are rich in anthocyanins which are interesting as natural
Abstract
dyes in food and beverages. It is, thus, relevant to increase the
concentration of anthocyanins by agricultural practices. We tested
whether the combination of reduced nitrogen (N) supply and extended
harvesting periods maximized the anthocyanin concentration of purple
carrot roots, ideally without reducing their yield. The carrot variety
‘Deep Purple’ was grown with total N supplies of 220 kg N ha−1 (controls) and 73 kg N ha−1
(reduced N), respectively. Upon harvests in September, October and
November, root yield and quality were assessed. Concentrations of
chlorophylls (leaves) and anthocyanins (roots and leaves) were
determined by spectroscopic and chemical analyses, and carbon and N
content were quantified. Reduced N supply neither affected leaf or root
biomass nor their chemical composition. Later harvests did not impact
the yield of roots, but increased their diameter by 8.5–20%.
Additionally, the anthocyanin concentrations of the roots increased by
40–50% in the controls, but not in N-limited plants, at late harvests.
Consequently, extending the harvesting period might increase the
anthocyanin concentration in roots of ‘Deep Purple’. Moreover, N supply
might be reduced for this carrot variety without negative effects on
root yield.